Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress, Part III

[Translation.]

Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward

Mexican Legation in the United States of America, Washington, July 8, 1865

Mr. Secretary: Through an accident there have fallen into my hands two letters from Mr. William M. Gwin, formerly senator of California, who is occupied at the present time in carrying into effect a plan of colonization in the frontier states of the Mexican republic, which letters are dated at the city of Mexico on the 18th of March last, and directed one to Colonel John Winthrop, of New York, in care of Mr. Royal Phelps, of the same city; and the other to his wife and daughters living at Paris. On one leaf of the latter is found another letter written by Mr. William M. Gwin, junior, to his mother, on the 16th and 18th of said month of May. Although Mr. Gwin does not sign the letters referred to, there is abundant reason for believing that they have been written by him; the handwriting, the context, and more especially the circumstance that the son’s letter is signed, leave no doubt in regard to the authenticity of those letters.

Along with said letters there have come into my possession two more, one with the mark “confidential” on it, signed by “Massey,” and directed to the Hon. Benjamin Wood, of New York, and the other a correspondence written by the same person and directed to the newspaper “The Daily News,” of that city. Both are dated at the city of Mexico, on the said 18th of May.

In the letter of which I enclose you a copy, and which was addressed to me on the 1st instant by Colonel Don Enrique A. Mejia, of the Mexican army, you will be informed of the manner in which those letters fell into his possession. For what it may amount to, I will state to you that the despatches of the legation of the United States in Mexico for the department over which you preside, referred to by Colonel Mejia, I placed in the hands of Mr. Hunter on the 14th of June last.

The importance of the documents adverted to has induced me to send the originals to your department, in order that the government of the United States may take such steps in regard to them as it shall deem compatible with its safety and its interests. It appears from them that Mr. Gwin is formally engaged in carrying into effect his project of colonization; that, although he does not say so clearly, having written with much distrust, through a presentiment that his letters might be intercepted, that project is known to be hostile to the United States, since he proposes to take to the frontier of Mexico all the discontented citizens of the United States living in the south, with the design of organizing them there under the protection and with the assistance of France. It appears also that he has, so far as the French Emperor is concerned, all that he needs for carrying into effect this undertaking, and that there are orders from said Emperor to General Bazaine, commander-in-chief of the French army in Mexico, to lend to Gwin all the assistance which he may need in the development of his plan. The sanction of Maximilian—the puppet whom the Emperor of the French has placed in Mexico in order that he might seem to be the sovereign of the country—which was the only thing wanted for the realization of the scheme, had not yet been obtained, but was on the eve of being obtained, as well because all the supporters of the usurper considered the plan referred to as the only salvation of the so-called empire, as because the members of Maximilian’s cabinet who were opposed to the plan had left their places in order to be succeeded by others who were favorable to it, and more especially because it is plainly to be seen that the ex-Archduke of Austria has no will of his own in the affairs of Mexico, since, he having been placed in the country by the Emperor of the French, and having been sustained by him militarily and pecuniarily, in the part of the Mexican republic occupied by the invading army, nothing is done but what the French commanders decide to do of themselves or in virtue of orders from their government, and the ex-Archduke is only to keep up appearances, and during the course of events to indicate to the Emperor of the French what may be proper or necessary to be done finally in Mexico.

All these important reports are corroborated in a letter from Vera Cruz of the 1st of June, published in the “Times,” at New Orleans, a copy of which I have the honor to transmit to you.

I have sent to my government a copy of the enclosed letters, in order that on its part it may take the necessary steps to frustrate the plans hostile to Mexico which the Emperor of the French is endeavoring to develop in the republic. Believing at the same time that such plans are equally hostile to the United States, I send you the original letters, in order that you may make of them such use as you may deem proper.

I avail myself of this opportunity, Mr. Secretary, to renew to you assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

M. ROMERO.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.

[Enclosure No. 1.]

Washington, July 1, 1865.

Dear Sir: I regret that urgent business calls me to New York. I will explain in this letter the manner in which the papers submitted to you came to my hands.

On leaving the city of Mexico, I was requested by Mr. Corwin, the acting chargé d’affaires of the United States, to take charge of some despatches for the State Department, as he feared his official correspondence had been tampered with. As there was a probability that I would be searched, he sent his despatches by another conveyance to Vera Cruz, there to be delivered to me. Events justified this precaution, as I was arrested on arriving at Vera Cruz, my trunks searched, and all papers taken from me, including my passport as bearer of despatches; the official notes were demanded of me, and as I denied having them, I was thrown into prison, allowed to communicate with no one. Finding nothing to criminate me, after several days, I was liberated and allowed to embark for Havana. On board of the steamer I received the despatches the French had been so anxious to procure.

On returning my papers, I received among them those now in your possession, probably taken from some other traveller, which being open I examined, and considered of sufficient importance to present to you.

Before leaving the city of Mexico I was shown the original letter from Napoleon to Marshal Bazaine, recommending Mr. Gwin’s plan, as submitted to him, and directing the marshal to furnish the troops demanded by Mr. Gwin. The object is to colonize Sonora and other frontier States with veteran confederates, as a barrier to any aggression of the United States, and there create a power always hostile, and, with the assistance of the French, sufficiently formidable to resist all attempts against Maximilian.

French forces had already left Mexico for Sonora and the northern frontier in combination with Mr. Gwin.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ENRIQUE A. MEJIA.

Matias Romero, Esq., Minister of Mexico, &c.

[Enclosure No. 2.]

Mexico, May 16, 1865.

My Dear Mother: Nothing has occurred since I last wrote; in fact there is nothing to occur; all business has come to a stand-still, because of the emperor’s absence. When his august Majesty has sufficiently amused himself with rural sports, he may take a notion to return to his sleeping capital and wake us up from our present state of lethargy. I am learning to exercise the admirable quality of patience, which means I begin to fall into the philosophical way of taking things coolly—the best thing a man can do in Mexico, where the object of the community is to approach as nearly as possible to a state of vegetation, and to imitate in all its lively peculiarities that interesting excrescence—a knot on a tree. Colonel Talcott arrived a day or two ago. He has been unwell in consequence of too great exertion, and can scarcely walk, from having sprained his ankle. We breakfasted with the family on Saturday; the old man read them that part of your letter about Spiller. I think they are a little uneasy on account of his prolonged absence. The marriage, you know, was to have taken place last month; now no one can say when it will come off. The old man is firmly of the conviction that Spiller is going to act the dog. Your letters were an immense satisfaction. It was very consoling to hear you were in good spirits, although I know you must still cherish in some small degree that pleasing reflection that, some day or other, we’ll find ourselves a-starving. I am altogether opposed to ever being reduced to such an extremity, and have determined, at the hazard of proving you a bad prophet, to make a fortune. That’s a fixed fact upon the principle, be there a will, then wisdom finds the way. I’ve got the will and trust to luck for wisdom, and when that fortune is made, should you be hungry and a wanderer, I’ll give you food and shelter.

May 18. The old man saw the marshal the other day, but nothing resulted from the interview. He renewed his protestations of friendship, and declared he would urge the old man’s claims to the utmost. We must content ourselves with an existence of idleness a while longer, for no steps can be taken without the emperor. The old man saw Almonte to-day; he thinks there’ll be no trouble, and so far as he himself is concerned, we may look for strong support.

The minister of foreign affairs has gone to Europe, and every one says Almonte is to come in. He will then be all-powerful, and with his favorable disposition towards our plans we are pretty certain to carry the day. Things are progressing as smoothly as possible, only it provokes one to be detained when there is no sufficient cause. To think of our being kept here holding our hands, when those prodigious mines are inviting us to fortune, and all because the emperor will stuff birds! I feel very easy about Mexican affairs, but I’m dreadfully blue about the south. Andy Johnson’s speeches breathe such a heinous spirit that I can see nothing ahead but extermination. I shouldn’t be surprised if there were re-enacted on the American continent the massacre and havoc of the French revolution. It is horrible to contemplate the situation of the country. I am afraid they will commit excesses to which all the horrors that have gone before will be as nothing. It’s dreadful to fall in battle, but it’s ten times more dreadful to die on the scaffold. Johnson says treason can have no extenuation; it is a crime that merits the direst punishment. That’s to say, all traitors should be hung, and as we are all traitors there’s nothing left for us but hanging. It really makes me sick when I think of the bloody agony that awaits the southern people. But we must learn to suppress our feelings; it may be, after all, that our only home will be among these people. If the old man shouldn’t succeed, we shall have to live in California, and indeed we are fortunate to have even such a refuge.

I am very glad aunt Sue is going to Europe; she’ll be a great comfort to you. The old man wrote the judge from Havana, and said, when the time came and he got fairly started he would let him know. He told the judge that uncle Alick must come with him, to furnish the necessary means, which should be paid on his arrival. Tell Carrie her letter was delightful and to write me every mail. I promise to answer her every one. Tell sister Lucy to write me, and not to get married. Love to all.

Your affectionate son,

WM. M. GWIN.

Note.—On the same note-paper sheet appears the following:

[Enclosure No. 3.]

My dearly-beloved Wife and Daughters: The startling news from the United States has made the blood of every southern sympathizer run cold with horror. No one will be safe in our native country. How I thank Providence that I have cast my lot elsewhere, and that very soon I will have a home for my wife and children, where they will be safe from oppression, and where we have every prospect of immediate and permanent prosperity. My policy is on every man’s lips as the only one that will save this empire. The emperor lingers most unaccountably away from the capital, but his minister having charge of this matter considers it so pressing that he has gone to him with it more than a week ago. No one doubts that there will be an entire change of ministry, with one or two exceptions, when the emperor returns, and that his entire ministry will be in favor of my policy. It seems that he is effecting this change in his absence, and that he remains away to accomplish it. If I dared write I could give you names of persons who have approached me with this news that would leave no doubt on your minds that all of these things will happen, and that very soon. The delay is unpleasant, but the certainty of success that will follow this delay is a great consolation, especially when everything is so dark for us everywhere else. Never have a doubt of my success. I have less now than ever. Willie is getting into heavy business. They are proposing to him to give him the entire control of the richest gold mine in the world, in Sinaloa, and he is one of three who have asked for the concession of all the railroads in Sonora. He will succeed in both, and either of them will make a dozen fortunes. Brent and his whole army will soon be in Texas. I will write more at large by British steamer.

As ever, yours, devotedly.

(No signature to this.)

Note.—Enclosures No. 2 and No. 3 are written on the same sheet of note paper, and came in an envelope addressed as follows:

“Mrs. Wm. M. Gwin, 55 Boulevard Malesherbes, Paris, France.”

The whole of which is again enclosed in another envelope, addressed to—

“Messrs. Van den Broek & Co., 60 Rue de la Chaussee d’Antin, Paris, France.”

[Enclosure No. 4.]

Mexico, May 18, 1865.

My Dear Colonel: The news from the United States appals every one here, and paralyzes all business. What will happen next is the constant inquiry. The emperor’s absence must seem to persons at a distance extraordinary, but it is now developing itself that he is bringing about a radical change in his counsels, and there will be an entire change of policy on his return. Three of the ruling men in his counsels have been displaced since he left, and two (and they the most obnoxious to my ideas of government, and most opposed to my project) have been sent abroad, if not in banishment, equivalent to it. No one here doubts but Almonte will come into power, and from the first he has declared that my plan of colonization is the only salvation for the empire. The same sentiment is uttered by every one in favor of the empire. In fact, if anything in the future can be certain in this country, at an early day you will see a decree opening North Mexico to the enterprise of the world. What a people we can assemble there if this policy is adopted. What a country it will be in a very few years. The recent startling events, and the policy I have indicated, causes delay that is unpleasant, but no doubt of ultimate success. I have never been so confident as at present. Say to my good and highly-valued friend, Mrs. W., that we will very soon meet again in the most delightful spot on the globe, and there will not be a cloud to obscure the future. She will eat her Christmas dinner in the palace, to a certainty, and what a time we will have. The day I leave here I will send an order to France for a large supply of the best wines in Europe, and they will be mellow to the taste by Christmas. This is not romance. The stern reality that confronts every one of my sentiments banishes all romance. I must have realities. The crusades will be surpassed in the emigration to the country of my future home, and such a people never moved from one country to another. You and your wife are among the very few that gave me a cheer of success, and that success will be marred if you do not participate in it. But, like me, you must be patient for a time; it may be but for a very short time. I confess I chafe at every hour’s delay, but I do not permit this to depress me or damp my energies. I have to deal in generalities, for fear of accidents, but you may count on having a home where you will not only be prosperous and happy, but honored as one who, from the first, had faith.

I may introduce your name in some important concessions that may be necessary to secure the success of my policy, but you may rely on it, if I do, benefits of no equivocal character will result to you. Every one with a particle of enterprise in his composition have their eyes turned to the north, but I will be first on the ground. I shall open new books, and capitalists near you had better wait coming events before they venture their money. When I write you to come, bring as many millions as you please, and they will soon turn into tens of millions. Even the most skeptical here now acknowledge that no such country exists on the earth unoccupied. But I have to write so obscurely, for fear of accidents, that you may not comprehend me, but have faith that I know what I am about.

With my best love to Mrs. W., I remain very truly yours.

(No signature.)

Note.—This letter came in an envelope addressed as follows: “Colonel John Winthrop,” and both enclosed in another envelope addressed to: “Royal Phelps, esq., 22 East Sixteenth street, New York, United States of America.”

Enclosures No. 3 and No. 4 are evidently in the same handwriting, which is believed to be that of William M. Gwin, senior.

[Enclosure No. 5.]

Mr. Massey to Mr. Wood.

Private.]

Mexico, May 18, 1865.

Dear Sir: Just on enclosing the within very hastily written communication, I hear of a person to leave in the morning for New York, and I avail myself of the opportunity to send by him. You see I have been cautious but positive about Doctor Gwin. He, my family, General Stone, and two others mess together; they are all in my rooms several times a day, or I or we in theirs. I see Mr. Soulé daily, all in the same scheme—Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Durango; they have all they want from the French Emperor; the approval of Maxamilian is desired. Marshal Bazaine has certain orders anyhow; the thing will be carried out, and Gwin will go out as director general, &c. Stone’s project was distinct, as I have stated, and accidental. They harmonize, however, admirably. I am distinctly pledged, in presence of witnesses, to have any scheme of mine carried out; I shall have them. There are fortunes in it, and a very peculiar kind of colonization alone permitted. I am too much hurried to say more; I must say, however, that our affair is the largest, and best, and most rapid ever conceived or granted in any country. I dropped a line to the Empress the other day, and in two hours had an answer entirely satisfactory. Nothing will be finished till the Emperor returns—said now not till 3d or 4th of next month; and when he does return he has weighty matters awaiting him, so that I fear a still longer delay. Hence I cannot get through in time for the next (British) steamer of the 1st. Nothing is being finished in his absence. I do trust that, in the midst of the turbulent times about you, you have sequestered ample means for our project; if I knew otherwise I would be off on another thing. But with ours, other “big things” follow. I am sorry you have not written to me; I know not your hopes or wishes. You ought to have sent me some money. It is hard to financier on nothing indefinitely, and I have concentrated my whole strength on our scheme. I enclose a letter for my daughter—please mail it to her; and also, as I am delayed about making money, I want, and particularly request, you to send to her address a draft for $200 in gold; she needs it; her term is out, and I have written that you will send it to her; don’t neglect it—that is, if you and I are ever to have anything in common, and your fortune is secure if you will attend to me a little. God knows what I will do about money if I don’t get our scheme through quick. Have never seen a copy of the “News.”

Your friend,

MASSEY.

Hon. B. Wood.

[Enclosure No. 6.]

City of Mexico, May 19, 1865.

Editor N. Y. Daily News:

The “government” is still on its travels; that is, the Emperor continues his recreations about Orizaba; consequently, civil events make no progress—everything apparently waiting for the Emperor’s return. His absence has been, and is, exceedingly unpopular. He suffers nothing to be finished without him, and documents and messages sent to him are seemingly shelved. In consequence of important news from France by the late French steamer, great changes are being effected, and great improvements expected. The loan of $50,000,000 is sufficient, with the income of the country, to “run” the government for two years, within which time it is at leisure to “consolidate” itself. The vote in the French Chambers to continue French troops in Mexico was unexpectedly large in its favor, and guarantees French protection of governmental stability here. That an improvement in the administration of affairs is foreshadowed is indicated in the very sudden removal of Eloin, (called chief of cabinet, really chief clerk of cabinet,) who has been reputed to have exerted an overshadowing influence over the Emperor and Empress, and has been exceedingly unpopular with both natives and foreigners. Eloin was with the Emperor on his trip; and some instructions received from France were evidently impressive, for he left on the steamer at once, without so much as returning to the capital for a “change of clothes.” He is said to have been sent on a special mission to Belgium and France; so, also, Ramirez, the secretary of state, has been sent on a mission, it is said, to London and Brussels. The Emperor has a convenient way of substituting honors! The secretary of the interior has also been permitted to resign. It is not stated why he, too, was not provided with a foreign mission, although it is known that special acts rendered his “loyalty” questionable. All these cabinet vacancies are as yet unsupplied, and will remain so till the Emperor’s return. It would be useless to give rumors as to who will fill them.

Of course, letter-writers from Havana and Mexico will have heralded the return of Dr. Gwin from Paris to the city of Mexico. All manner of things will doubtless be written. Those who know the gallant and noble ex-senator know that he knows how to keep his own counsels. My next letter may tell your readers as many particulars as they are interested in. For the present I may only say that the Dr. is not a man to fail. He comes back in the best of health and spirits. All misunderstandings have been cleared up. All talk of the Dr. being made duke, viceroy, or anything of the kind, is all stuff; it never entered the brain of anybody but scribblers. The Dr. has a higher, nobler ambition than that kind of nonsense smacks of. That he is in process of full success there can be no shadow of doubt. Soon a domain as large as France, and composed of four of Mexico’s richest states, will be open to the most beautiful a species of immigration ever known—all to become and remain a part of the empire of Mexico. Soon after the Emperor’s return I will be in a position to tell your readers more. Those who are tired of revolutions, and of mobocracies, and political corruptions, may look forward with hope.

By an accidental coincidence General Charles P. Stone got upon the same steamer at Havana upon which Dr. Gwin had taken passage for Mexico. I would scarcely allude to it were it not that letter-writers will probably indulge in a variety of speculations. General Stone was engaged in the survey of Sonora in 1859, under the celebrated Jecker contract. Some of Jecker’s claims having lately been audited by the imperial government, General Stone came on to see about his own interests. He came with a practical experience, too, of infinite importance in the near development of Sonora. His purposes and plans in relation thereto were totally independent of and disconnected with the larger enterprise of Dr. Gwin; yet each will materially assist the other. Within a very few weeks I am sanguine that all will be in process of successful accomplishment. Till I write again, your readers must wait, and take anything said in other journals with a very large “grain of salt.”

Military matters are not very exciting. Of course you have heard of the entry and temporary occupation of Saltillo and Monterey by the troops of Negrete. Upon getting over to Matamoras they met with Mejia, re-enforced by five hundred fresh troops, and the Juarists precipitately retired. It is expected that they will be surrounded and taken prisoners. This is the only band of any size known to be in an organized condition in Mexico. Of course, as I have repeatedly said, it will in all probability require many years to get rid of this guerilla business. Mexico has been used to it for these many years, under all forms and shapes of government, and such an inveterate habit of a people cannot easily be broken up. The state of Michoacan is greatly disturbed—there is nothing like repose in it. It is a large state, and mountainous. Small parties can make very destructive irruptions, and French and Belgian troops have both suffered severely by surprise. Re-enforcements are almost constantly arriving at Vera Cruz. The vomito has been playing sad havoc already in the unfortunate city just mentioned. It is extremely dangerous for any one unacclimated to pass a single night there. It will be a great blessing * * * * * * *

[Here a portion of the third page of the letter seems to have been either torn or cut off.] to Mexico and the world. Fortunately, it is going on with all possible vigor. The company constructing it have subleased eleven leagues of the most labor to a French and Belgian company; the part which includes the mountains to be done in two years. One single bridge will cost $2,000,000, and will be made in England. The other part of the route goes on. The iron will be hauled over the mountains. It is in contemplation to finish this end, from the city of Mexico to Puebla, within two years.

The tragic events in the United States are, of course, the almost universal subject of conversation. It might possibly come under the head of “news” to tell you some of the comments in the highest circles. But you must pardon my refraining, because they would be denounced as “copperhead” representations. And the events have been too thick and fast for a proper reference to them in a brief letter. From the stand taken by Andy Johnson and his Attorney General and Secretary of War, it is evident that they must have their hands too full for years to come to permit his talk about the “Monroe doctrine” to be any more than talk. Such vindictiveness in conquerors was never before seen in the world’s history, and that it will bring the destruction of its authors is written in the book of destiny. Either to “restore” or to “subjugate” is the dream of an inebriate, under the policy shadowed forth. The carriage of the remains of Lincoln through the cities of the country, the uses made of that display in exasperating the lowest passions of humanity, has afforded scandal of the American name all over the world too glaring for remark.

Yours, truly,

JOURNALIST.

Note.—This communication seems to be in the same handwriting as enclosure No. 6 of this series.

[Enclosure No. 7.—From the New York World of June 19, 1865.]

emigration to mexico.

The minister of public works at Mexico also publishes a notice that a citizen of the United States, Dr. Thomas C. Massey, has been allowed to establish agencies for emigration to Mexico, as a private enterprise solely, with no responsibility incurred by the government of the Emperor Maximilian.

[Enclosure No. 8.—From Vera Cruz, June 1. Correspondence of the New Orleans Times.]

The Emperor is still on his travels, stuffing birds and shooting deer, while the Empress is at a standstill awaiting his return to the capital. The last news from the interior is of a serious nature. Count Pottier has been defeated by the liberals in the state of Michoacan, the count wounded and his troops badly beaten, though he, of course, claims a victory, only retreating for want of water, when he says in the first part of the report that the fight occurred by a lake and during two hours’ rain.

The liberals, under Negrete, still hold Monterey, Saltillo, and all the country bordering on the Rio Grande, and though the attack on Matamoras failed, they have been able to hold all the rest. The state of Tamaulipas, with the exception of the ports of Matamoras and Tampico, are entirely held by the liberals. Everywhere in the country the people seem to be rising against the French. The only part of the country really held by the imperialists is the environs of the capital and the road to Vera Cruz.

In the capital things continue the same as ever. There is no accord between the French commander and the imperial government. Nothing has been done to recuperate the finances of the country, though the news by the last steamer seems to indicate that the great project of the imperial loan-lottery will meet with success. If an individual tried to raise the wind by such means he would be indicted for swindling. Imagine, for bonds whose face shows 500 francs, the lender pays 350 francs. They bear six per cent. interest. Every year 3,000,000 are to be raffled and prizes drawn varying from half a million to twenty-five thousand for the benefit of bondholders. Besides, after fifty years their capital is to be doubled—that is to say, they receive one thousand francs with the interest payable semi-annually in Paris. The French government keeps the first amount paid in to cover the prizes and pay itself, and Maximilian only gets about two million. In one year he has spent $6,000,000, and is no nearer pacifying the country than he was six months ago. It is true he has in his cabinet some liberals, but the party will have none of him.

The confederates still continue to flock to Mexico. There is no doubt Dr. Gwin will get his project through. It only awaits the signature of Maximilian to become a law. He goes out as director general of emigration for the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Tamaulipas, with extraordinary powers and eight thousand French troops to back him. The emigration is to be strictly southern, or confederate. Ten thousand confederates are to be armed and paid by the empire, but kept in the above-mentioned states as protection to the emigrants. Strategical points are to be fortified and garrisoned on the frontier. Dr. Gwin’s son has applied for and will get an exclusive privilege for all the railroads in Sonora. The southerners are elate, and golden visions float before them. The last news from the States has caused a panic, and every mail is anxiously expected. The Yankee invasion they consider as certain, but hug to themselves the idea that France, Austria, and Belgium will not allow the United States to invade the empire. Napoleon has sent out a director of police to Maximilian, Cappo d’Istri, who lately returned from organizing the police of the Celestial Empire. Persecutions immediately began, a la French. The first two imprisonments have caused great sensation.

It seems that Colonel Henry Mejia, of the liberal party, lately went to Mexico under a safeguard to attend to some valuable property he had inherited, and while in the city invented a rifle, of which much was spoken. It is said to shoot accurately sixty times in a minute. Finding it difficult to construct in Mexico, he decided going to the United States. By accident, in the same stage, there was Mr. Bay, ex-governor of Mexico, also of the liberal party. Two prominent liberals going to the States looked so much like conspiracy that on their arrival at Vera Cruz both were arrested and put in dungeons, their trunks broken open and papers seized. Unfortunately for Colonel Mejia, he had some despatches for the State Department at Washington, and also a model of his rifle, or, as the French called it, infernal machine. The despatches were opened and the rifle seized. As both these gentlemen had safe conducts, and really nothing could be proved against them, and as such imprisonments were in direct contravention of the provisional statute, they were released after eight days’ close confinement. These arrests caused intense excitement, and the fears of an emeute induced, no doubt, their prompt release. The rottenness of the empire is beyond description. The lavish expenditures of Maximilian have no check, and nothing is done for the benefit of the country. If Maximilian lasts two years, the debt of Mexico would be increased $300,000,000. The roads are impassable in the rainy season. There is no security anywhere, no order, no system. The French loudly complain. They say something is due to France, which means that they are tired of the Austrians, and want Mexico for themselves; that if they must fight the United States, the prize must be for them. As for fighting the Americans, 40,000 French can easily rout an army of 100,000 Yankees. French vanity can admit no equality, as they say one shot, then a charge, and the poor Americans will be spitted on French bayonets. The confederates seriously proclaim that they only can save the empire by the emigration of southerners, who will rally by thousands at the call of Gwin, and raise an impassable bulwark against American aggression. This is seriously believed and circulated by the French commander-in-chief.